Do I need an internet connection to stream TV?

Yes—and the faster the better. DSL internet users will see lag time and pixelation if they’re streaming TV and surfing the web simultaneously (by “if,” we mean “when”—who watches just one screen anymore?). Fiber or cable internet is your best bet for smooth streaming.

Are there monthly streaming fees?

For streaming devices, no. For certain apps and content you’ll want to watch on those devices, yes. Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and many other premium services charge a monthly subscription rate, not counting the impending Death Star that is Disney+. But, there are also thousands of apps that provide plenty of free content—you could hole up for an entire winter with an app like Pluto TV and never run out of stuff to watch.

Should I get a streaming box or a streaming stick?

For the ultimate streaming TV experience, we recommend a set-top box. They have the power and functionality to replicate the cable or satellite interface most viewers are familiar with (and are probably ditching in favor of streaming). If you’re short on entertainment-center space and don’t have heavy TV demands, though, a streaming stick is a viable choice.

What’s the cheapest streaming TV device?

If your entertainment needs don’t extend beyond Netflix and YouTube, the Google Chromecast is the clear low-cost option.

Bill Frost, Author at CableTV.com

2019’s Best Streaming TV Devices

by Bill Frost | Apr 12, 2019 | Best Of | 0

You’ve decided to make the leap from traditional cable or satellite TV to a livestreaming service—now what? The set-top box choice is all yours when it comes to streaming, and picking a streaming device can be as tricky as narrowing down the right television.

Cable Splitters: Get TV in Every Room

by Bill Frost | Apr 5, 2019 | Equipment Guides | 0

Things were simpler in Ye Olden Analog Times. Back then, you could run a single coaxial cable into a house, screw on a coaxial cable splitter, and keep several housemates entertained with their own TV hookups for the cost of a single bill. Sure, the channel choices were limited, and the picture quality was sketchy, but it was easy—and cheap.

Tell Us Who’ll Win Game of Thrones and We’ll Send You to Westeros

by Bill Frost | Apr 2, 2019 | Entertainment | 0

Winter is coming this spring as the eighth and final season of dragons-and-drama epic Game of Thrones kicks off Sunday, April 14 on HBO. One burning question remains: who will sit upon the Iron Throne when it’s all over? CableTV.com has another question: What’s in it for you? Plenty, if you’re up to the challenge. [...]

The Marvel Movie Marathon Dream Job

by Bill Frost | Mar 12, 2019 | Entertainment | 136

No sleep till Endgame: We’ll PAY YOU to watch all 20 Marvel movies. Submissions for the Marvel Movie Marathon Job have officially closed. Thanks to everyone who applied! Our winner is ... Do you have the endurance of Iron Man? The tenacity of Captain America? The leisure time of Ant-Man? Then CableTV.com has a mission [...]

The Best In-Flight Entertainment, Ranked

by Bill Frost | Dec 10, 2018 | Entertainment | 0

In the so-called “Golden Age” of 1950s–’60s air travel, in-flight entertainment options were slim. Unless you remembered to bring a novel or a newspaper, all you had to occupy your time was drinking, smoking (yes, it was a thing), and pondering your airborne mortality.

Author: Bill Frost

2019’s Best Streaming TV Devices

Cable Splitters: Get TV in Every Room

Tell Us Who’ll Win Game of Thrones and We’ll Send You to Westeros

The Marvel Movie Marathon Dream Job

The Best In-Flight Entertainment, Ranked